Month: February 2023

Hello Friend,Going to the doctor can mean a lot of information being exchanged between you both. Whether it be for a routine checkup or because we are sick, trying to process it all can be overwhelming.Preparing for you visit is the key to success!Consider these tips from Janna Hami, MD, a family medicine specialist with Banner Beyond in Arizona. By following her guidance, you'll make routine and impromptu visits lower stress and more effective.Be Well,Anisa Tip #1: Don't Wait Until You're Sick… Since neither you or your doctor have a crystal ball, regular wellness exams and routine screenings are all the more crucial, explained Dr. Hami. These visits help you stay on top of your health and create a familiarity with your doctor that you'll be happy to have when you are feeling a little sick. It may shock you but recent data shows that about 25% of American adults don't have a primary care physician. I myself am guilty of this as my former one moved and I haven't found a new one I like! It also should be noted that having a primary care physician is one of the most important things you can do for your health....

Hello Friend,Keeping our eyes healthy is important at any age, but as we get older it is important to pay more attention and care for our eyes.Vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are common among older adults.While we can't prevent our eyes from aging, we can slow age-related damage by taking care of your eye health.This is something that I am all to familiar with. My mom had vision problems later in life and ultimately lost her vision in one eye. So please take a look at these tips and try to incorporate them into your health planning.Be Well,Anisa 1. Get Regular Eye Exams… Starting at age 40, get annual eye exams and have your eye doctor look for signs of glaucoma and retinal damage, even if you're a healthy adult with no vision problems. People who have certain medical conditions that increase the risk of eye disorders, such as diabetes, or those who have vision problems should see an eye care professional earlier than 40. Depending on your risk factors and the initial findings of your exam, ask your eye doctor to recommend the appropriate screening intervals that will help maintain clear vision....

Hello Friend,More than one-third of America's citizens do not get enough sleep. Here's why that is bad news.Experts generally recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Failure to do so not only leaves you tired but also can increase your risk of developing serious health conditions.Following are some of the overlooked - and often surprising - ways that a lack of sleep can make your life miserable.I'll also give you three things that I do that help me.Be Well,Anisa 1. It Makes You Crave Carbs… When we don't sleep well, it throws our endocannabinoid system out of whack. This system helps regulate several functions, from immune response to appetite. When insufficient sleep messes with the endocannabinoid system, the result is an increased desire for high-fat, high-starch, sugary foods. 2. It Raises Your Risk Of Heart Disease… When we sleep, our blood pressure drops. However, if you are sleeping just a few hours, your blood pressure doesn't dip for as long. Experts say that can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system and may raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. 3. It Ages Your Body… Research findings of Judith Carroll, assistant professor of...

Hello Friend,As we grow older, many of us fear the possibility that we could be diagnosed with dementia. Few things are more frightening than the thought of losing our independence to this progressive disease.Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge say signs of dementia may appear up to nine years in advance of when the illness is typically diagnosed.Catching these signs early enough might offer the possibility of treating underlying factors at a time when it can make a big difference to your long-term health.Be Well,Anisa 1. Poorer Scores On Certain Cognitive Tests… The researchers looked at data from tests of a half-million participants in the U.K. between the ages of 40 and 69. The testing included problem-solving, memory, reaction times and grip strength. Those who fared poorly on such tests were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. In the summary of the research findings, Swaddiwudhipong says:"When we looked back at patients' histories, it became clear that they were showing some cognitive impairment several years before their symptoms became obvious enough to prompt a diagnosis. The impairments were often subtle, but across a number of aspects of cognition." 2. A Recent Fall… Those who were eventually diagnosed...